Managing Inter Laboratory Laser Measurement Variance in Raw Cashmere Contracts
Manage raw cashmere laser variance by specifying test standards, establishing a 0.30-micron split-sample arbitration band, and locking a price deduction matrix.
Curvature
Geometric Dimension
Fiber dimensional properties determine the three-dimensional configuration of individual wool strands during commercial sorting and processing. The average curvature is measured in degrees per millimeter and relates directly to the physical crimp of the fiber. High values indicate a tightly coiled structure that occupies more volume when gathered in bulk.
Low values correspond to straighter fibers that lie parallel to each other.
Processing Influence
Cohesive forces between fibers during combing are determined largely by the physical crimp of the raw material. High curvature leads to increased fiber cohesion in the carding and combing stages. This mechanical behavior reduces the risk of fiber breakage during high-speed spinning operations.
Conversely, low values allow fibers to slide past each other too easily, which can lead to drafting defects in the roving.
Yarn Performance
Yarn bulk and elasticity depend directly on the spatial properties of the raw material. Higher curvature results in bulkier, more resilient yarns that provide better insulation and loft in the finished knitwear. Low-crimp varieties yield smoother, denser yarns with greater tensile strength but less stretch.
This difference influences the choice of fiber for specific knitting and weaving applications.
Laboratory Assessment
Measurement of this property occurs during routine testing alongside average diameter analysis. Automated systems calculate curvature by tracing the angular changes along a projected fiber profile. The test method utilizes short fiber snippets to ensure that the natural crimp is represented without tension.
Such predictions allow for optimized fiber blending and reduced machine downtime during later manufacturing steps, which guarantees that the yarn achieves its target softness.